The "Program on Cooperation in the Field of Education between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina," organized in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education's Directorate General for European Union and Foreign Relations, the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, and Yunus Emre Institute, was hosted by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education.

 

Within the context of the cooperation program held between April 24th and April 28th, 2024, Minister of Science and Education of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jasna Durakovic, Minister of Education and Culture of the Republika Srpska Entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Zeljka Stojicic, and other Cantonal Ministers (Minister Naida Hota Muminovic from Sarajevo Canton, Minister Ahmet Omerovic from Tuzla Canton, Minister Mirza Musija from Zenica-Doboj Canton, Minister Denis Osmankic from Una-Sana Canton, Minister Adnan Velagic from Neretva Canton of Herzegovina, Minister Alisa Alikadic Heric from Bosnia-Podrinje Canton, Minister Ana Andric from Posavina Canton, and Ante Tadic from Herzegovina-Bosnia Canton) visited Istanbul Technical University Technopark on the first day.

 

After receiving information about technoparks, the delegation the delegation visited İstanbul Governor Davut Gül in his office following the technopark visit.

 

The second day of the "Program on Cooperation in the Field of Education between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina" was held in the conference hall of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education. The event was attended by Deputy Ministers Ömer Faruk Yelkenci and Celile Eren Ökten, Director General for EU and Foreign Relations Tuba Korkmaz, Education Counselor for Sarajevo Faruk Akçeşme, representatives from Yunus Emre Institute, İstanbul Provincial Director of National Education Murat Mücahit Yentür, and the accompanying delegation, as well as Ministers from Cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

Following the opening speeches of the Deputy Ministers, mutual presentations were given on educational cooperation between Türkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina, within the context of the jointly carried out "Tercihim Türkçe" (Elective Turkish Courses) and "Kardeş Okullar" (Twinning Schools) projects with the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education and Yunus Emre Institute. Experience-sharing sessions were held with the Ministry of National Education and the Cantonal Ministers of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

 

During the meetings with the ministers, the cooperation in the field of education between the two countries was evaluated, and it was assessed that new cooperation could be established in many areas, such as vocational education and teacher training. It was decided to further develop the recently initiated cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the field of special needs education.

 

The Bosnia and Herzegovina delegation also met with Sevgi Kurtulmuş, the President of the Board of Trustees of the International University of Sarajevo, and Şekip Avdagiç, the President of the İstanbul Chamber of Commerce.

 

In the program organized in cooperation with the Ministry of National Education's Directorate General for European Union and Foreign Relations, the İstanbul Provincial Directorate of National Education, and Yunus Emre Institute, the Bosnia and Herzegovina delegation also had the opportunity to closely acquaint themselves with the rich and deep cultural heritage of İstanbul.